For many people the desire to be free from the burden of debt is probably a daily and consuming issue. However, it’s also something that many (perhaps most) find it hard to confide and share with friends and family, which can result in it feeling a very, very lonely struggle.

The Debt-Free Wannabe (DFW) board on the MoneySavingExpert (MSE) forum exists to try and breach that barrier: to provide a place where you can talk with others battling with the same issues; give and receive much needed emotional support; work through problems; encourage and help each other on your debt free journey; and much more.

The MSE forum has over 900,000 users talking on many different subjects, each subject with its own mini-community. DFW is one of the busiest boards on the site, and currently contains over 70,000 individual threads and over 2 million posts.

How those in debt can help those in debt

The number of ways you can use the forum to help your debt free journey are too numerous to list, however by getting involved you can:

– Get involved in one or more of the many and varied challenges designed to help deal with your debts more quickly, budget better by making the most of what you have, and set achievable goals to aim for along the way.

– Take part in some of the many other support threads on a wide range of topics, from coping in your debt management plan (DMP) right through to giving up smoking.

– Start a diary thread to keep track of your journey, or give and receive encouragement along the way.

A "Deliciously Dedicated Doubly Diehard MoneySaving Devotee", Fermi (not his real name) is a legend of the MoneySavingExpert.com forums.
He's not employed by MoneySavingExpert.com but spends his free time chatting with, and helping, people with their debt issues. He's posted on the forums well over 20,000 times and has been thanked by fellow forum members well over 30,000 times.

The DFW board is brilliant. I spent a lot of time on there when I was going through difficulties a few years ago and found the advice and support invaluable. I have even made a couple of ‘real-life’ friends in people who posted in response to my queries and I would thoroughly recommend popping by if in need.

Fermi is indeed a legend and thanks to his user name I have another weapon in my armoury of general knowledge for pub quizzes

moneytrouble

I continue to struggle with money even though I have a DMP and have had to remortgage. The problem is I have no respect for money. I spend what I have and borrow what I cant afford to pay back. I do try then lose motivation to save and use my money better.

goodmum

My grandson has allowed the bank to impose charges on an overdraft of what was £100 and now i found out by accident owes a bill of £400 which he cant afford to pay. he has luckily found work but he owes his dad money as well (money his dad cant afford) and the bank is trying to ask him to repay at amount he cant pay, HELP!!! Goodmum x

http://www.cccs.co.uk MoneyAware

Hi goodmum,

Your grandson needs to speak with the bank straightaway, to see how this debt has got so large, and if there’s anything that can be done to pay off the debt at a more acceptable rate.

We’d also recommend that if he’s having trouble with paying the debt that he gives us a call on 0800 138 1111.